Cold Steel was founded in 1980 by Lynn Thompson with a self-imposed mission to make edged weapons and tools that are strong, sharp and durable. Their knives were adopted by military, law enforcement, EMS and self-defense practitioners.
Camillus Cutlery Company produced most of Cold Steel’s knives (except for two models that were manufactured in Taiwan). In 2007 Camillus New York went bankrupt.
What Happened to Cold Steel?
In 1980, Cold Steel founder Lynn Thompson took the “American Tanto” style blade and popularized it with military, law enforcement special units, EMS and self defense practitioners. Today, Cold Steel is an edged weapons giant with a thriving brand.
The company’s folding knives were primarily manufactured in Taiwan until Camillus Cutlery went bankrupt and the company had to find a new manufacturer for their carbon steel fixed blades. This was followed by a switch to Japan for production of the rest of the knives.
What Happened to Cold Steel’s Blades?
For those of us who grew up watching the old Cold Steel commercials, they’re likely to be the brand most associated with mall ninja stars and spikes. However, Cold Steel is also known for their innovative designs that have earned them a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest pocket knives.
The company has been around since 1980, and is known for producing some of the best quality folding and fixed blades out there. They’ve been on the cutting edge of design for over a quarter century, and continue to break the mold with new innovations like checkered Kraton handles, vault-like locking mechanisms, and of course, the coveted cold steel logoed best seller in every box.
While they may not be manufactured in the United States, Cold Steel still produces a few of their best known knives in Japan and Taiwan. They may have degraded their production efficiencies, but they have not slowed down or ceased to produce top of the line products, and that’s a feat in and of itself.
What Happened to Cold Steel’s Manufacturing?
Until recently, Cold Steel’s knives were made in the United States. Eventually, Camillus Cutlery Company went bankrupt and Cold Steel needed to find a new manufacturing location.
Thankfully, they were able to move their knife production to Taiwan and Japan. While this is not ideal for dedicated knife enthusiasts, it does not degrade the quality of Cold Steel’s knives.
However, this isn’t the only change to Cold Steel’s manufacturing. GM is also fighting with its suppliers over steel prices, which are up 30 to 50 percent since October.
What Happened to Cold Steel’s Sales?
What started off as a modestly priced blade manufacturer has become a juggernaut in the realm of high end knives and shennanigans. Using the latest in cutting edge materials and fabrication techniques, Cold Steel remains a leader in delivering a well designed and constructed product for the price point. The company exemplifies the best of what the industry has to offer.
There is no one answer as to why this company sailed through the pack to become the king of the sword aficionados, but there are several factors that contributed to their success. The most important of which is a receptive and well educated customer base. It also required a savvy and innovative marketing strategy to win the coveted prize. With a keen understanding of consumer needs and preferences, Cold Steel is well positioned to win the new competition for the best in class.